Broncos Join Talented Field at Wolverine Invitational

Courtesy: Sean Fagan, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Release: 09/20/2012

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's tennis team will be part of a talented field when they participate in the Wolverine Invitational hosted by Michigan, scheduled for September 21-23 in Ann Arbor. A tournament with a team match-up format, the Broncos will get the opportunity to face opponents from Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and Arizona State as they continue to develop their games in the fall season.

"We talk all the time about winning conference championships and reaching the NCAA tournament, and this week I told the girls that this field might as well be the NCAA tournament," said head coach Betsy Kuhle. "We'll be playing opponents from the reigning national champion in Florida, the national quarterfinalist in Georgia, and a team that made the round of 16 in Michigan. We'll have our hands full this weekend."

The Broncos had a strong start to their fall season last weekend, when they competed at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic hosted by Marquette. Senior Jill Pastunink got off to a hot start with a perfect 3-0 weekend in singles play, defeating opponents from Detroit, Xavier, and Marquette, and teaming with Kelsey King to record a doubles win against Marquette.

"Jill is playing very well right now, and really the entire team played well last weekend," said Kuhle. "Clay isn't the best surface for most of our players, but they really played well regardless, especially in doubles. "We've been putting in new offense in doubles, and I thought they did a good job with at Marquette."

Speaking of King, the freshman showed great promise in her first weekend of collegiate competition, winning her singles debut against Megan Morris of Xavier and going 2-1 in doubles play, picking up wins while teamed with both Pastunink and Maggie Remynse.

"Kelsey is a warrior," said Kuhle. "She gets a million balls in, and she's got a good aggressive nature. Our fans will enjoy watching her play."